Cutting device

ABSTRACT

A simple cutting device in two sections which closes against itself slicing at prearranged angles and depth sausages and hotdogs and the like placed therein producing a spiral cut in the hotdog or sausage the entire length of the unit.

This invention relates to a device which is used in connection withpreparation of food for cooking and in particular hotdogs and sausagesor frankfurters which must be cut.

In preparing sausages and hotdogs and the like for cooking the shell orskin must be pierced in order to prevent the unit from distorting. Whilebeing cooked they build up an internal pressure and blister and therebypresent an unappetizing appearance. Furthermore when the skin isruptured while cooking a hotdog or sausage can cause injury due to theexploding force and cooking oils.

It has been discovered that cutting hotdogs or sausages requires morethan one perferation. They must be spaced fairly close to one another inorder to prevent the sausage or hotdog from exploding in any onesection. It appears the gas is trapped within the skin and the skin mustbe perforated to properly vent it in more than one location in order toprevent distortion or explosion. It was discovered that a spiral cut theentire length of the unit provided the most consistent and best result.

It is also observed that if a sausage is sliced or cut in a carelessmanner even though the unit does not explode it will have anunappetizing appearance as a result of the cutting whereas the overallpurpose of cutting the sausage will have been defeated.

Many devices have been suggested and fabricated for cutting hotdogs andperforating the skin in order to let the gases escape. However, thosewhich presented an edible product after is was cooked were quitecomplicated and quite expensive; and therefore never gained commercialacceptance. This inventor has developed such a device and owing toexpense and complicated matter was not successful in gaining anysignificant market. The new device has achieved the ultimate insimplicity while obtaining all of the required goals of perforating thehotdog at select points equal distance along the hotdog and at an anglewhich makes the hotdog quite appetizing in appearance once cooked.

Therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a simplesausage cutting device.

Another object of the present device is to provide a sausage or hotdogcutting device which spaces venting cuts at appetizing distances alongthe sausage or hotdog.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple handoperated cutting device for hotdogs which can be cleaned easily.

Another object of the present device is to provide a hotdog or sausagecutter which is inexpensive in fabrication.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will bebetter understood from the following detailed specifications especiallywhen read in conjunction with the attached drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is an end view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a prospective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view of a hotdog that has been cut with a spiral cut runningthe length of the hotdog.

Referring to FIG. 1, we see the sausage cutting device. Sections 12 and13 close together by hinge 20 as indicated by arrows 19 and 20. Blades21 and 26 are therefore caused to come in cutting contact with thesausage placed between the two blades. By means of projecting edges orhandles 55 and 56, the unit is then again separated and the hotdog orsausage removed. It is to be noted the edges 12 and 13 are slightly ovalnot round. This permits relatively dulled blades to perforate the hotdogby means of the added pressure.

Referring now to FIG. 2, we see the hotdog slicer in greater detail.Sections 12 and 13 are open and are shaped to accommodate the roundcontour of a sausage or hotdog. Hinge 20 permits the units 12 and 13 torotate about one another. We note that blades are six in number 26, 27and so forth on each side. They are spaced opposing blades on unit 12.ie, 31, 32 and so forth. When the units swing close the blades arespaced opposite one another such that they slice the hotdog or sausageas a spiral the entire length. The distance between each blade is animportant factor. As was alluded to earlier the hotdog or sausage canexplode if they are not perforated at given distances. The optimumdistance between blades on the same unit is 3/4 of an inch at 27°, whichcauses a spiral cut. Accordingly with the blades being equally spacedabove and below the unit, a slice is placed in the hotdog or sausage inthe form of a 3/4 of an inch spiral the entire length.

As important as the spacing is the angle in which the cut is placed inthe hotdog. Angle φ 49 is approximately 27° with line 50 which isparallel to the edge of unit 13. Both sets of blades are in the sampleangle with respect to one another such that their slices will all beparallel to one another. The angle and spacing of the slices present avery pleasing and appetizing arrangement in the cooked hotdog orsausage. The hinge 20 has two curved parts for each units equally spacedalong the pin within the hinge 20. Pairs of blades such as 22 and 23extend up into the hinge whereby a continuous spiral is attained becausethese two blades meet with opposing blades 30 and 29. This is repeatedwith all six interfitting blades providing a continuous spiral theentire length of the actual hotdog or sausage.

Referring now to FIG. 3 we see a hotdog 41 that has slices in it, 42, 43on one side and 45, 47 and so forth on the other side. The cutting ofthese hotdogs has been accomplished after innumerable hours of researchand experimentation. The spacing of the slices are very important. Thecutting on opposing sides is also very important. The angle again is animportant factor. Accordingly, a device which cuts a sausage or hotdogwithin the prescribed distances alluded to above at approximately thesame angle and on opposite sides of the hotdog or sausage will be moredesirable and if as in this instance a spiral cut is made withinterfitting blades the entire length, the hotdog will never blister orexplode.

The hotdog slicer can be made of many materials however chrome steel oreven stainless steel is to be preferred because of its ability to becleaned and utilized repeatedly. The cuttingedges with sausages andhotdogs do not have to be that sharp initially but they should be ofsuch materials that they do not deteriorate after washing such that theywill be useful over and over again. The hinge connection 20 is simply arod with the steel forming the cutting edge wrapped about it at twoparts per unit. The unit therefore lends itself to stamping and cantherefore be made very cheaply. Two separate parts are stamped out andthe hinge rod 20 set between them assembling a single unit. The userthen can wash it as he would any item of cutlery and place it in afolded condition with the rest of his cutlery which prevents any injuryto the user because the blades are internal. The ultimate in simplicityhas been attained in the fabrication of this device and its costs areaccordingly in line with its simplicity. Plastic can be used, but wouldhave to be cost. Presently a single stamping for steel units is utilizedwith great results.

Although I have described my invention with reference to a specificapparatus, I do not wish to be limited thereby I only wish to be limitedby the appended claims of which.

I claim:
 1. A cutting device comprising, a first elongated oval shapedsupport surface having thereon spiral spaced inwardly extending blades,said first surface being hingedly connected to a second interfittedelongated oval support surface having thereon spiral spaced inwardlyfacing blades, said hingedly connected cutting blades pivot about oneanother cutting hot dogs or sausages placed therebetween.
 2. A cuttingdevice according to claim 1 whereby the blades on the blades on eachsupport surface interfit with one another producing a spiral cut inhotdogs and sausages placed therein.
 3. A cutting device according toclaim 2 wherein pairs of cutting blades extend into the hinge wherebypairs of interfitted opposing blades produce a continuous spiral cut inthe hotdog or sausage.